Ontario’s Gender Gap: Women and Jobs Post-Recession

Friday, July 4, 2014

A recovery strategy that aims to put Ontario back where it was in 2007 means no progress for women. Women had lower levels of employment and higher levels of poverty before, during and after the recession.

Young women were among the biggest losers during the recession – experiencing nearly double the rate of decline in their employment as young men.

At the other end of the spectrum, the numbers of women who stayed in the workforce after age 65 doubled betwen 2007-2013.

Single mothers with childern under six saw the biggest increase (among parents) in their rate of unemployment – from 11% in 2007 to 17% in 2010.

What women in Ontario need is a recovery strategy that addresses the gender gap – providing increased security for women and greater stability for the economy.